Well equipment



May 5, 1942.

c. L. WHITE WELL EQUIPMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed arch 30, 1959 .l Ne

, INVENTR.

, CHARLEY 1 .wH1TE BY .A M a I l t72 5 AT s.

c. L. WHITE 2,281,899

WELLv EQUIPMENT Filed latch 30, 1939 3 Sheets-SheetI 2 May 5, 1942.

FIG

l FIG. 4

May 5, 1942.

C. L. wHlTE I WELL EQUIPMENT Y Filed llarch 30, 1939 .'5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOA cHARLeY L. wHm;

charge tubing string at each stroke.

Patented May 5, 1942 WELL EQUIPMENT Charley L. White, Smackover, Ark., assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Application March so, 1939, serial Ne. 265,019

5 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in well pumping equipment and has particular reference to double acting reciprocating pumps designed for use in oil andwater wells or the like.

One type of well pumping apparatus has a string of tubing supported inside of the well casing, from the well head, and on the lower end of which is placed a Working barrel containing a standing and a traveling plunger valve. The t1 aveling valve isconnected to a string of sucker rods, which are suspended from the surface within the string of tubing, adapted to raise and lower this valve in such a manner that fluid from the well bore is lifted inside of the tubing string on the up stroke of the sucker rods.

In accordance with this an important object of the-` present invention is to provide a well pump that utilizes both the up and down stroke of the sucker rods to pump fluid from the well bore.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a fluid pump capable of producing greater operating economies than can be secured with other types of fluid lift/pumps.

A further important object of this invention is to provide a pump adapted to produce greater fluid volumes than the conventional sucker rod pump- A A further important object of this invention is te provide a pump capable of producing fluid from each of two different zones without intermixing the fluid.

A still furtherv important object of the invention is to provide a pump so designed and adapted to operate that no power is wasted in stopping and starting the column of well fluid in thedis- It will be evident that when the flow of fluid is practically continuous, especially in the case of very deep wells wherein the weight of the fluid column is relatively great, a considerable saving in power I may be effected.

Other objects and advantages of the irlventiox`= will be apparent during the course of the followlng description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of' this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure l is a vertical elevation partly in section through a fluid lift pump embodying the present invention,

Figure 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2-2 1f Figure l,

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 31,-3 of Figure 1I Figure 4 is a vertical elevation partly in section of a modification of this invention,

Figure 5 is an enlarged elevation partly in section of a portion of Figure 4, and,

Figure 6 is a vertical elevation partly in section of a modification of the invention.

Continuing with a more detailed description of the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration only, is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention and referring vspecifically to Figure l, the numeral 5 designates atubing string suspended in a well bore from the ground surface in the customary manner. Attached to this tubing string by means of a screw-threaded en' gagement at 6 is the adapter head l. This` adapter head, which is preferably circular in cross section, connects the tubing string 5 with the upper pump casing or housing B and the upper pump `cylinder or barrel 5 through threaded connections at I0 and' II. Fluid passages i2 are drilled through the adapter head l, placing the.

annular space I3,` which is between the upper pump casing 8 and barrel 9, in communication withthe tubing string 5. A circular opening I4 in the interior of the adapter head serves to connect the interior, or fluid discharge passage I5, of the upper pump barrel 9 with the tubing string 5. In addition to this, the opening 'is of sufficient diameter to allow the sucker rods II,4 reciprocated from the surface within the tubing sti ing in the usual Way to pass freely through.

Mounted at the lower ends of pump casing or housing 8 and pump cylinder 9, with screwthreaded attachments at I8 and I9, is the circular body member Il. The lower end of this member is also threaded at 20 and 2| to receive the upper ends of the lower pump casing or housing 22 and pump cylinder or barrel 23. Vertically drilled within the body member Il are the fluid passages 2i, Figures 1 and 2, communicating between the annular space I3 and the annularspace 26. In

addition to these passages, and alternately spaced as shown in Figure 2, are the diagonally arranged fluid passages 25. One end of these fluid passages communicates with the exterior of the pump assembly as at 25. The other end communicates through a check valve assembly 2l with the chamber I 5.

Preferably, as indicated in Figure 1, the standard check valve assembly 21 is composed of a ball, seat, and cage so mounted and assembled that fluid pressure tends to seat the ball and stop the flow of fluid therethrough when applied from above and to unseatV the ball when applied from below, This allows fluid to flow through ,the pas` sages 25 in one direction only.A It is to be noted at 'to flow in one direction only.

A stuffing bex 2s of any usuai type is mounted between the check valves 21 so as to surround the shaft member 29 which reciprocates through the body member I1. The purpose of this stuffing box is to prevent fluid leaking between the upper chamber I and the lower chamber 39 along the shaft 29.

Threaded to the lower ends of members 2:2 and 23 at 33 and 34 is a valve chamber`32. Into the lower end of this chamber is threaded the plug 35 which is preferably mounted as shown in Figure 1 and perforated as indicated at 36 for the passage of fluid from the well bore. Plug 35 is so formed as to provide a mounting for the valve cage 31 in V`which a ball 38 rests upon seat 39. Above the valve cage 31 is the valve seat mounting 40 supporting valve seat 4I on which rests a ball 42. This ball is embraced by the chamber 43` which serves as a cage therefor. It should be noted that chamber 43, Figure 1, is in direct communication through cage 31 with the perforations 36 in plug 35. Connecting chamber 43 with the annular space 26 are the fluid passages 44 shown in both vFigures 1 and 3. Fluid passages 45 connect chamber 43 through the valve cage 31 with the chamber 30 in the pump barrel 23.

Adapted to reciprocate Within the upper pump barrel 9 through an attachment to the sucker rods I6 is a standard suction cup traveling valve 46. As is well known, such a traveling valve is composed of the customary valve cage 41, ball 48, and seat 49. Cups or disks 50 are placed around the body ofthe valve 46 to insure proper sealing between the traveling valve and the interior of the pump barrel 9. 'Ihis sealing prevents fluid from leaking from the upper part of chamber I5 to the lower part thereof as well as creating a suction which causes fluid from the well bore to enter through the ports 25 and the valves 21 to fill .the chamber I5. Operation of such a valve is well understood in the petroleum industry and does not warrant further description at this point.

Aperforated adapter 5I connected to the traveling valve provides a passage for fluid from the lower part of the pump barrel 9 into the interior of the traveling valve and up past the balli 43 into the tubing string 5. This adapter also serves as a preferred means for directly connecting the shaftmember 29 to the traveling valve.

In this way, reciprocating motion from thetraveling valve is imparted to shaft 29 vwhich passes through the stuffing box 28 into chamber 3l of pump barrel 23 and connects with the piston 52.v Shaft 29 serving asa connecting rod between the traveling valve 46 and piston 52 is rigidly construction as preferred. A lap flt, or packing as above described, may be used in the area where this shaft passes through the body member I1 to Port 3| in the wall of pump barrel 23 provides a communication passage between chamber 30 and the annular space 26 which is in direct connection with the tubing string 5 through the uid passages 24, I3, and I2. The weight of the column of fluid in the tubing string is thus utilized to exert pressure on the portion 54 of piston 52 and thus aid the sucker rods I6 onthe downstroke to displace the fluid in chamber 39. Any fluid collecting in chamber 30 is discharged ythrough port 3l lon the up stroke of piston 52 into the annular space 26.

The operation of the embodiment shown in Figures l, 2, and 3 is as follows:

When sucker rods I6 are reciprocated from the surface this motion is transmitted to the traveling valve 46 and the directly connected piston 52 through the shaft member 29.

On the up-stroke of the rods a suction is created by the upward movement of valve 46 in the lower part of chamber I5 of the pump barrel 9. At the same time a suction is created by the-upward movement of piston 52 in chamber 30' of pump barrel 23. Fluid from the well bore flows through ports 25 and passages 25 unseating the balls in cages 21 and filling the lower part of chamber I5. It also flows through the perforations at 36 unseating ball 38 and enters chamber 30' by way of passages 45. Some of the fluid will flow into the annular space 26 through passages 44 since ball 42 will be unseated also.

After the 'up-stroke has been completed and both pump barrels 9 and 23 are fllledwith fluid from the'well bore, power is applied to the rods at the surface and the down-stroke is begun, In' addition to the surface power, the weight of the long string of sucker rods plus'the pressure exerted by the column of fluid in the tubing string through port 3| on piston area 54 all tend to force the traveling valve 46 and the piston 52 downward in their respective pump barrels.

Fluid collected in the lower part of chamber I5 is displaced through the perforated adapter 5I unseating ball 48 and fills the upper part of chamber I5. It-is to be understood that on the up-stroke the weight of this fluid plus that of the fluid in the tubing string 5 seats ball 48 and prevents any further flow of fluid through valve 46 during that stroke. The fluid on theV upper side .of ball 48 is then lifted from chamber I5 into the ber 30' is forced out through passages 45 seating` ball 38 and unseating ball 42. The fluid from 30 now flows through passages 44 into the annular space 26 through passages 24 and the annular space I3 into passages I2 and the tubing string 5.

Fluid collecting in chamber 39 above piston 52 on'thedown-stroke is displaced on the up-stroke through port 3| into the annular space 26 and f then into the tubing` string by way of passages 1 nected and may be either solid or hollowin con- V worn plunger or piston parts.

In this way the pumping load is more evenly distributed and a greatervolume of fluid lifted since both theyup and down stroke of the rods are utilized. Referring specifically to Figure 4 of the drawtraveling valve 46, the directly connected piston 52, and body member I1' may be removed from Pump barrel 9', l

Connecting member 59 within the pump easing by withdrawing the string of sucker rods Il from the well.

Adapter head A1 is designed as indicated in Figure 4 to allow a free passage of barrel l', valve 40, body member i1', and piston that they are withdrawn from the pump-casing for repairs.

Pump barrel 9' is slidably arranged within the adapter head 1' at 55. A circular head piece 5i attached to the upper end of barrel has openings therethrough -for the passage of fluid from chamber I5 and ports 51 line up with the fluid passages I2 in the adapter head 1': A loose fit between the sucker rods II and head piece4 5l allows the rods to freely reciprocate and also enables this head piece to serve as a. guide or centering piece without interfering with pump operations.

Body member I1' is assembled with coarseA threads 5l 4on-its exterior surface, Figures 4 and 5.

to engage these threads with corresponding threads in member 59.

also serves to join the upper pump casing 8 with the lower pump casing 22, Pump barrel 23 is also attached fto 59 either in a threaded relationship, or welded, if

preferred. Enlarged openings il) provide a ready meansfor lining up ports 25' and placing them in communication. The remainder of this structure is similar to that described above for member i1.

The operation of the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5 is as above described for Figure l. Pump barrel 9', attached to body member I1', traveling valve 46 within the pump barrel, and the directly connected piston 52 are all lowered into place in the pump casing on the end of the sucker rod string I5. A slight turn of the sucker rods serves to engage the threads 5l on the ex terior of member i1' with those on the interior of member 59. The object of rthis is to hold this interior assembly, pump barrel 9' and body member i1', stationary with respect to the outer pump casings. Traveling 'valve 45 and piston 52 are reciprocated by the sucker rods I6 forcing fluid up into the tubing 5.

In Figure 6 of the drawings a modicatio'n of the present invention adapted to produce fluidfrom each of two different zones, or sands, in a formation. When fluid, especially oil, is pumped from a well that penetrates two or more zones it is usually desirable to segregate the.fluid and pre.- vent it from mixing. This is due to the fact that there is sometimes a difference in gravity of the oil or a difference ln formation pressures and the amount of sand accompanying the oil from the different zones in the formation.

To effect. a separation of the fluid and prevent mixing of the oil from the lower oil sand with that of the upper oil sand, Figure 6, within the pump, packers 6I and 42 are provided. These packers are of the standard type and construction used in the oil fields and do not warrant any further description as to their form. As illustrated, packer 6I is placed between the weilcasing 63 and upper pump casing l, while packer 52 is mounted -between the well casing 63 and the lower pump casing 22. Perforations 54 in thev well casing 63 allow fluid from the upper oil sand to flow into the annular space 41 formed between packers 6l and 52 and between the well casing 63, and the pump casings or housings l and 22. It will be noted that the packers 4i and i2 effecilrin the event the normal v so that a slighttwist of the sucker rods I4 serves pump except through the ports and fluid passages 25. Fluid from the lower oil sand is prevented by packer 62 from entering the pump except through the perforations in plug 35. Perforations in the upper pump casing B provide fluid discharge openings from annuar space I3 into the annular space 65 between well casing 63 and upper pump casing 8 above packer Bi.

Operation of this modification, illustrated in Figure 6, is similar to that described above for Figures l and 4. The only exception being that the fluid pumped from the upper and lower oil sands is always segregated. It will be observed that fluid from the lower oil sand is forced by piston 52 from chamber 30' through passages 45, chamber 43, and passages 44 into annular spacev 25, then through passages 24 to the annular space I3 and from there it passes through perforations B5 into the annular'space which conducts this fluid to the surface. Fluid from the upper oil sand flows through perforations 64 into the annular space 61, then through ports 25' and pas,-

the fluid passages 25 with the i tively prevent any of this fluid from entering the sages 25 into chamber i5 where traveling valve 46 forces it into the tubing string 5 and thus to the surface.

It will be obvious t0 those skilled in the art that upper packer 8| may be eliminated if a second string of tubing, not shown, surrounding the present tubing string 5; and attached to the upper pump casing 8 below the perforations 63, Figure v6, is utilized as a fluid conductor to the surface for the oil pumped from the lower oil sand. It is also contemplated that considerable distance often separates the oil sands, indicated t by the break in Figure 6. which entails a connecting shaft 29 and pump structure of very great length.

It is also to be understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. A well pump of the character described, in-

cluding: a housing member adapted to be sus' Y pended in the lower part of a well; a pump mechanism positioned within said housing member, said pump mechanism comprising an upper and lower cylinder, a partition member separating said upper and lower cylinders, fluid inlet and outlet means communicating with each cylinder, a traveling valve in the upper cylinder and a 'solid piston in the lower cylinder connected by a shaft slidably mounted within said partition member; means incorporated in said pump mechanism whereby pressure from the fluid column in the well is utilized to drive said piston: and a rod assembly adapted to reciprocate said traveling valve and piston.

2. A well pump ofthe character described, including: a housing adapted to be suspended in a well; a pump mechanism positioned within said housing, said pump mechanism including a pair of cylinders disposed one above the other and spaced from the housing to form a fluid discharge passage, a partition member separating the cylinders, fluid inlet and outlet means connecting the interior of one of the cylinders with the fluid discharge passage, fluid inlet and outlet means for the other cylinder separated from the inlet,

a piston in the other cylinder, said piston beingadapted to urge fluid through the outlet of cylinder on ,each downward stroke thereof, a shaft extending through thevv partition member and connecting the-trave1ing .valve and thepiston; and a rod assembly for reciprocating -the traveling valve and the piston. f l 3. A deep well pump comprising a housing member adapted to, be suspended in a well; a cylinder positioned within said housing `member and spaced therefrom to form a fluid discharge passage between saidhousing member and cylinder; a separating member within said cylinder forming an upper and lower chamber therein; a traveling valve in y'said upper chamber and a piston in said lower chamber connected by a rod adapted to reciprocate within said separating member; fluid inlet means for said upper chamber positioned within said separating member and outlet means therefor above said traveling valve; fluid .inlet and outlet means for the lower chamber below said separating member, said outlet-means for the lower chamber communicating its with the above fluid discharge passage; means associated with said cylinder whereby a pressure medium is utilized to actuate said piston; and means to reciprocate said traveling valve and piston.v g

4'.v An oil well pump ycomprising in combination with a string of tubing, a housing member attached thereto, an upper and lower working barrel positioned within said housing member and spaced therefrom forming an annular space, a body member servingto separate said working barrels, fluid inlet means for the upper working barrel within said body member, fluid outlet means for the upper working barrel communiarranged to connect a traveling valve in the upper`working barrel Aand api'ston in the lower working barrel, fluid inlet means associatedwith the lower working barrel, fluid outlet means placing the lower working barrel in communication with the annular space between said housing member and the upper and lower working barrels, and means to reciprocate said traveling valve and piston.

5. In combination with a string of tubing, an oil well pump adapted to be attached thereto, said pump comprising a housing member, an upper and lower tubular barrel disposed in longitudinal alignment within the housing member, a body member separating said upper land lower -barrels, a fluid passage between said housing member and the upper and lower barrels, fluid inlet check valves for the upper barrel within the body member, iluid outlet means for the upper barrel communicating with the tubing, a check valve associated with the lower barrel and housing member providing a fluid inlet for said lower barrel, a second check valve associated with the lower barrel and housingkmember placing the lower barrel in communication with` said fluid passage, a. traveling valve slidably positioned within the upper barrel and a,V piston slidably positioned within the lower barrel connected by a rod assembly reciprocally mounted within the body member separating the upper and lower barrels, by-pass means associated with the lower barrel whereby fluid pressure in the tubing string is utilized to drive the piston, and means to kreciprocate said traveling va1ve and piston.

-CHARLEY L.,WHITE.

`rating with said string of tubing, a rod assembly 

